Scaling new heights – exciting Cotswolds project supported by real estate team

Clients of our real estate team have purchased the site known as Bentham Country Club, featuring two old inflatable domes, in Gloucestershire, which will be converted into a state-of-the-art climbing centre which will be the only site in the UK to offer Olympic standard walls (speed climbing, lead climbing and bouldering) both indoor and outdoor. The site will also have a range of ancillary facilities such as camping pods, a new sports dome, high ropes course and aerial runways.

Mark Fabian, partner in the Cheltenham team, has been leading the transaction since 2018 after 270 Adventure Ltd became aware of the site’s availability and realised it was an ideal location for such an exciting project.

Thanks to Mark and the team’s expertise, several issues were addressed to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. These included compliance with the requirements of two pension funds, planning requirements and funders.

Our real estate lawyers provided the solutions needed to secure the site. For example, an agreement was put in place with the seller to provide for additional payment, should the site be used for residential development, on terms that were nevertheless acceptable to the various funders.

Robert and David, who are currently looking for EIS investors, said: “It is brilliant that we have now completed our purchase so we can now get on with the construction phase. Throughout that time Mark and his team have consistently provided pro-active, pragmatic and practical advice that helped us achieve all our objectives. It has been a real pleasure working with Mark and his team who have always been on hand to provide valuable and concise advice.”

Mark said, “I have enjoyed working with Robert and David Stevens on numerous projects over many years, but we have genuinely achieved new heights with this project. The completed climbing centre will be an amazing new facility for use locally but will also draw people in from a wider area. I am very proud to have been able to help them make their vision a reality by securing the site.”